On Google Maps: Libingan ng Mga Bayani at Isang Magnanakaw

MANILA, Philippines - The decision of the Supreme Court (SC) to allow the burial of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani apparently prompted the alteration of the cemetery’s name on Google Maps to Libingan ng mga Bayani at Isang Magnanakaw.

A screenshot of the edited site quickly spread on social media on Wednesday morning, a day after the SC issued the ruling.

“Google, please make Libingan ng mga Bayani at Isang Magnanakaw permanent. Future generations should not be misinformed,” Twitter user Jed Aguilar (@JEDnotJadJidJud), posted.

“Very clever,” Twitter user Lemuel Untivero (@monsieurLem) said, while another (Julius Agustin @brodjulius) tweeted: “Thank you (G)oogle map.”

A blog, on the other hand, used a photo of the Libingan ng mga Bayani with the word “Charot!” under it to mean its name was a joke.

Google Philippines immediately said sorry for “some inappropriate results” surfacing in Google Maps that should not be. “We apologize for any offense this may have caused. Our teams are working to fix this issue quickly,” it said.

The Google Map Maker tool lets users edit information and suggest changes in Google Maps.

Since the debate on whether Marcos should be buried at the Libingan began, some had suggested that the name of the heroes’ cemetery be changed since not all buried there were heroes.

Kabayan party-list Rep. Harry Roque filed a bill seeking to change the name of the cemetery to Libingan ng mga Bayani at mga Dating Pangulo while Commission on Human Rights chairman Chito Gascon said it should be Libingan ng mga Sundalo.

While not only heroes could be buried at the LNMB, those opposing the burial of the late strongman said the decision of the SC upholding the order of President Duterte to inter him there would send the wrong message, especially to the young, and desecrate the place by glorifying a dictator.